National Republican., 1887-12-24
English Opinions.

The Saturday Rcric,v, recognized as one
Of the leading organs Of English thought,
in discussing President Clevelaud's message
says;
At home the Presidents message must,
whether bis policy Is adopted or not, have
profound influence on American politics, II
only by bringing forward q great question OF
administration to be fought over between the
two parties which divide the bulk OF the ma.
ton. With the election Of Grover Cleveland
the question of civil service reform came to the
front, and now free trade-under certain limi-
itations, mainly of a nominal kind-has fol-
lowed 1t may be taken for granted that the
President has not acted without previously
consulting the leaders OF the Democratic party
ana securing their approval. He and they
have taken up again the old free trade policy
OF the South Carolina politicians, unconuec!ed
with what, In the jargon Of American politics
was called the sectional question. There mu.
now be a struggle of parties on great ques'
ton. In America the choice mus
sooner or later-unless the federal govern.
ment finds some way OF spending
great deal more money-be be.
tween the remission OF custom dues o.
their maintenance, not for purposes Of revenur
but wholly and solely IN order to protect ma
tive industry. The lGttery course would b.
worthy of the imaginary economists VIII
drew up the petition of the lamp makers o
Peris President Cleveland has decided
force on the decision. He declines cautiousl
TO dub himself Il free trader, but he takes IL
the free trade position without disguise. = 5
II must be taken to prove that the presdent
and the Democratic leaders have finally de
cided that they have nothing to gain by keep.
ists. They have, from whatever motive, re
solved to adopt q freetrade policy. Nothin.
can be more explicit than the Presidents Ian
guage: "The simple and plain duty which W,
owe the people is to reduce taxation to tn.
amount requisite to meet the necessary ex
| penses of the government. aud to restore
business and to the country the money accu
| mulated in the treasury" In America thi
means free trade.
The Spectator, another leading paper, say
Of the message:
His terse and telling message has struck
blow at American protection such as could
never have been struck by any fair trad
| league--such indeed, as would have beeu
greatly weakened by the operations of any fal
| trade league O He has fred q shot
| the protectionists which will be all the NOR
effective for his refusal to discuss the theoretc
| issue.
The 81. James Gazette, protcctionist
says:
We believe with the proverblally business
| like and "shrewd" Americans that the foster
| ing of native industries has been good for thei
| country, and has put its future on q sure
foundation. We believe that our Australia'
| colonies have been wise in taking The SAINT
| course. II only for the reason that by nurturini
| of all the arts, all the handicrafts, those colo
nies will allow TO its people the use and ex
panslon of all the faculties, including th
| noblest of them; making Of them many
sided" people, adept in many things and sutii.
cent to themselves in most. instead OF being
dead.level, mind.restricted communities G
the mere bucolic order.
>. And the London correspondent OF the
Scotsman says:
The tenor of President Cleveland's messag
tends to confirm statement which was mad
to me yesterday by person Of high authorlt
that the American government are expecte
shortly to remove nearly the whole Of the dut
Oh pigiron. The statement wasmade some hour
| before the kilograms of the Presidents mes
sage reached London. so that II could not hav,
| been inspired by IT, Il II Is also be
lieved that the duty on lead will be material
lightened. need hardly poiut out that
these expectations are realized great "boom
in both industries will follow. Iu well.iu
formed commercial circles one also finds tina
the belief in considerable revival Of trade
becoming every day more and more confirmed
These papers all agree In making til
message free trade document, thoug
| some Democrats I'm this country are irwin
to deny its meaning, because, with SIRE
Trade" inscribed on their banners, the
know defeat is inevitable.